How to remove vintage Embroidery on SILK off the edhesive board?

[maria marichik]

Hi! First time posting!
A week ago I got this amazing large vintage framed embroidery. The mounting board that the silk was attached to and the matt around are brown with age now. I think they were made before acid free paper was a thing... So the board and the matt have leaked their acid on to the silk... How to remove the embroidery on SILK off this edhesive board?...
The last picture is the detail of the back.

Thanks!
Maria

 

[Shayla]

Hi, Maria. Welcome to the Grumble!

With some things, a framer might try removal. But, in this case, I wouldn't touch it. Old silk can sometimes shatter,
so even if you could somehow release it from the adhesive, there's a chance it would fall apart. Two options that come to mind
are, either sending them to a fabric conservator, or getting a good quality scan or photo, photo-editing the background to look
clean, and making a high-quality pigment-based print.

 

[Prospero]

I doesn't actually look 'bad' as such. The botchy appearance doesn't really detract from it.
Leave it well alone is my advice.
The most I would do is replace the mat.

 

[Bruce Papier]

Yeah, what Shayla said. I've seen quite a few of these in my time and, if you're lucky, the adhesive is solvent based and has dried out enough to where it's not tacky enough to cause damage when you try to remove it. But you most probably won't be that lucky. If the mounting is the original (i.e. done in asia) the adhesive will be water based and the piece will be next to impossible to remove without damage.

 

[maria marichik]

I doesn't actually look 'bad' as such. The botchy appearance doesn't really detract from it.
Leave it well alone is my advice.
The most I would do is replace the mat.

Thank you for your reply! I will take it out of a frame and see what is what. Maybe it needs to be left alone.

 

[maria marichik]

Yeah, what Shayla said. I've seen quite a few of these in my time and, if you're lucky, the adhesive is solvent based and has dried out enough to where it's not tacky enough to cause damage when you try to remove it. But you most probably won't be that lucky. If the mounting is the original (i.e. done in asia) the adhesive will be water based and the piece will be next to impossible to remove without damage.

Thank you for your reply! I am planing to take it apart and see how bad it is. I think you are both right, leaving it as is, just changing the matt is an option.

 

[Ylva]

Welcome to the G, Maria!

Make sure your customer knows the pros and cons of trying to remove it. I am not sure if the full board is adhesive, or just that it was taped with masking tape. You can cut through the masking tape and see what is what.

Such a beautiful piece! I agree that even if it seems a bit spotted, it doesn't distract from the piece. Make sure to pick a mat that works with it (silk mat in slightly darker color than paper, as dark as the darkest spot actually) Cut bevels reversed so the bright white doesn't distract.

 

[Rick Granick]

It appears that it was mounted to an acidic board with some kind of brushed-on adhesive which has deteriorated and stained the silk itself.
As others have said, DO NOT attempt to remove it yourself. If it must (or even can) be removed, it is definitely a job for a textile conservator, not a framer. I suspect the silk itself has very little structural integrity at this point. Good intentions notwithstanding, do not make it your problem. It is possible the old acidic mat is glued to the backing on which the silk is mounted. Unless it is easily removable, just leave it in place and mat over it, measuring the opening in far enough to cover the staining around the perimeter. Doing this would actually provide extra separation between the piece and the glass. Use a UV-filtering glazing when you reframe it, and instruct the customer to hang it in a dimly-lit spot.
Rick

 

[Jim Miller]

I suggest consulting a textile conservator about removal and/or consolidation of the silk. Leaving it alone would be easier, but the damage from lignin and possibly other chemical reactions will continue to worsen over time.

Sometimes conservators can't do anything to improve or conserve an item that is too far gone. This may be one of those. In that case, reframe it as-is with a Conservation or Museum grade mat, 99% UV filtering glass or acrylic, and fit it properly.